Cartridge magazine latch for pistols



ZWAQH Nov. 22, 19. W. l.. HUFF CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE LATCH FOR PISTOLS Filed OCT.. 24, 1936 l we Fg @L WILLIAM L. HUFF IN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 22, 1938 S'ifi errar 4 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to magazines for automatic pistols, and particularly to what is known as the follower for the cartridges used therein.

Automatic pistols of the type to which this device relates are provided with a magazine comprising a chamber for receiving the cartridges and automatically feeding one cartridge at a time to a position in axial alinement with the bore of the gun barrel where it is forced into the barrel by means of other mechanism associated with the pistol.

Mounted in the magazine back of the follower is a relatively strong helical spring which forces the follower with the cartridge carried in front of it toward the outer end of the magazine and yet permits the follower to be Withdrawn to the inner end of the magazine so that a number of cartridges to the extent of the capacity of the magazine may be inserted in front of the follower to be fed to a position in alinement with the gun barrel as required when firing pistol.

A follower pin or knob is inserted or otherwise mounted on the follower to facilitate the withdrawal of the follower to enable the cartridges to 25 be inserted in the magazine.

The follower pin or knob mentioned in the preceding paragraph is diicult to manipulate with the thumb, especially in cold weather, and at any time it causes cramping, abrasion and other dis- 30 comfort when the pistol is used continuously for an extended period, as, for example, in target practice.

My invention, therefore consists of a detachable latch member which is adapted to be loosely attached to the follower pin, said latch having formed thereon a knurled or otherwise roughened surface to be engaged by the thumb of the person filling the magazine with cartridges.

The main object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive, but efficient, latch for followers of the class mentioned, which will enable manipulation of the follower without strain or injury to the thumb of the person using the 45 firearm.

Specific objects will appear from the following specification and the drawing accompanying this application and made a part thereof.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a pistol magazine with my invention applied thereto and showing the manner of holding it and inserting the cartridges.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the magazine with my improved latch shown with the follower of the magazine in withdrawn position for inserting the cartridges.

Fig. 3 is a view similar toFig. 2, but with the latch at extreme extended position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the latch.

Referring to the drawing by numerals in which like numerals designate like parts, I0 is a magaf zine for an automatic pistol having an elongated spring chamber to house a spring I I and a longitudinally extending slot l2, and provided with the usual channel I3 at its extreme end for guiding cartridges into the chamber I4.

Mounted in the cartridge chamber I l is the follower I5 to which is attached the usual follower pin I6 with its shank I6', extending thru the slot I2, so that the head or knob of the follower pin I6 is outside the slot I2.

The latch, proper, consists of a plate Il, bent at one end to form a foot I8 which is adapted to 20 Slide along the outer surface of the cartridge chamber. At the end of the latch, opposite the foot, an opening I9 is formed thru the plate Il, said opening being slightly greater in diameter than the follower pin I6, so that the opening will easily t over said follower pin. A section of the plate Il adjacent the foot I8 is knurled, preferably with diamond knurling, as shown at to provide a non-slip contact surface for the thumb of the person using the device.

The operation of my improved latch is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and consists merely in placing the opening I9 over the follower pin it, with the foot I8 resting against the surface of the magazine chamber and sliding it 3f along the surface of the magazine until the follower pin member I6 comes to a stop against the inner end of the slot I2. At that point the pressure of the thumb will easily cause the foot I8 to drop over and engage the end of the magazine as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawing, thus holding the follower in withdrawn position, permitting the use and freedom of both hands for the purpose of filling the magazine with cartridges, and eliminating the discomforts hereinbefore mentioned.

After the magazine is filled with cartridges the latch is released from engagement with the end of the magazine, and removed from the follower pin until again needed.

My improved latch is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and is effective for the purpose intended.

It is to be understood that changes in the specie construction of my improved latch may be 55 made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. l

I claim:

1. A cartridge magazine latch of the character described adapted for detachable connection to a cartridge magazine having slidably mounted thereon a spring actuated follower provided with a thumb manipulated follower pin, means on said latch for detachably engaging the pin on said follower and for engaging one end of said magazine to hold said follower in retracted position in said magazine.

near one end for detachable connection with said follower pin and having its other end formed in a foot adapted for frictional contact with the outer surface of said magazine and for latching engagement with one end of said magazine for the purpose of holding said spring actuated follower in retracted position in said magazine.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a plate consisting of a relatively long section having an opening near one end for attachment to a knob and having' its other end formed Vina right angularly disposed relatively short foot adapted for frictional surface contact.

4. A latch for cartridge magazine followers comprising a substantially right angularly formed plate, one end being relatively shorter than the Vother and having an opening near the outer extremity of the longer end.

WILLIAM L. HUFF. 

